Weekly Tarot

May 5-11 and May 12-18, 2025
Ace of Cups

Do you always trust your first initial feeling,
Special knowledge, holds true bears believing?
I turned around and the water was closing all around
Like a glove, like the love that had finally, finally found me…
~ Fleetwood Mac, Crystal (Rumors, 1975)

For last week’s waxing gibbous Moon and then this week of the Wesak Moon, I am encoring this powerful card about love and grace. Under the light of Monday’s Full Scorpio Moon, and in the aftermath of last week’s start of the Pluto retrograde, we welcome a beautiful Tarot ally that will bless us without fail.

The Aces represent the complete potential of the suit, and they all depict the hand of Divine Mystery, offering its gift to us. Since the Cups are concerned with the emotions, love, intuition and healing, this card is the very essence of those gifts. It holds all the love that could be possible, and the deep knowing that comes straight from the heart.

This version of the Ace of Cups is none other than the Holy Grail. You see the dove of peace, symbolized as the Christian Holy Spirit delivering the wafer (the Host, or the body of Christ) into the cup. It is, in Christian terms, a picture of the Holy Communion.

Some scholars tell us that the five streams pouring from the Cup are the five wounds of the Christian God. They also say the letter on the Cup is not a “W” but an “M” reversed, identifying it with Mary, Christ’s mother, and is upside down to show that it is receiving the body of the Divine.

Interestingly, the deck’s creator, Arthur Waite, wrote that there were four streams coming from the Cup (perhaps a reference to the fountain in Eden from which the four rivers ran). But clearly, artist Pamela Colman Smith had other ideas.

And so can you.

If you are not enamored with Christian symbolism, it would not be amiss to reinterpret the streams as the four Elements, plus the fifth sacred thing – Mystery, or Spirit. If so, you can understand this card as representing the sacred Circle, the Divine Feminine. This is a visitation from Grace.

Either way, Grace is the common theme.

Grant Us Grace

Our Greek ancestors, and later the Romans, always, without fail, invoked the Graces (Gratiae) before every meal, journey, festival, or other gathering. Their presence assured harmony and benediction.

So we can think of Grace as a combination of the gifts from the three original Graces. Grace is the deep benevolence you can never earn, but which is given instead for the sole reason, simply, that life itself is blessed. You need only ask to be shown it.

Must you know for certain what you need at all times? Do you dare ask for favors that you are not sure you deserve?

As you might remember from week before last, I quoted inspirational author Sarah ban Breathnach who wrote, “Grace is available for each of us every day – our spiritual daily bread – but we’ve got to remember to ask for it with a grateful heart and not worry about whether there will be enough for tomorrow.”

So here is this same lesson once more. This is where the offer is made. Once again, you are invited to consider what your heart’s true desires are. And then ask.

By the Light of the Buddha’s Moon

This week is a very dynamic one, in terms of the potent Wesak Moon and other connections happening in the cosmos. Since I am keeping it streamlined this week, I urge that you dive into the updates from our friends Elisabeth, Lorna, and Diotima.

The Grail and the Fisher King

One of the more well-known tales of the Holy Grail is the myth of The Fisher King. It is a very, very old myth and it aligns quite powerfully with the Ace of Cups in modern times.

In all the Fisher King myths, the theme revolves around a wounded king who is either impotent or dying, and can only be saved by the power of the Grail. While he waits, slowly deteriorating, he fishes in a nearby river, hoping for rescue.

And the only salvation comes from one who innocently ignores the practice of all the sophisticated courtiers who politely ignore the king’s suffering. No one ever asks what ails him. It is the spoken, authentic query which results in an act of compassion that begins to break the spell. (If you would like to explore this theme in a contemporary version, I highly recommend Terry Gilliam’s 1991 critically acclaimed film, The Fisher King, starring Robin Williams and Jeff Bridges).

As you may know, it was once understood that the fate of the crops, the economy, and the entire population was dependent upon the vigor and progenitive power of the king. To have an impotent or wounded leader was a recipe for widespread disaster.

Things have not changed so very much, have they?

When those seeking power are greedy and only desire their agenda’s triumph, they are disconnected from love, grace, and humility. Fatal hubris may arrive as a result of systemic disrespect for the Divine Feminine — the Great Mother. In their bubble of supposed invincibility and arrogance, these weak, failed kings not only doom themselves, but they put everyone in jeopardy.

Thus, they eventually fall from Grace. Make no mistake.

Every. Single. Time.

And Yet, You Can Ask

When challenging times come, align with The Good. Speak up and do what you can to help. But realize, too, that no one can ever pay enough dues to guarantee one’s own well-being.

Happily, the Ace of Cups suggests that this is not a problem. Grace and love are ever offered, if you will only ask, and then surrender in acceptance.

Asking for Grace means that the Divine Ones will fill in the gaps that you may not be aware of, support you in invisible ways you cannot yourself anticipate, and will know your heart more clearly than even you may understand it.

In this way, yes, you may have to relinquish control, and instead have faith that what is received is the healing gift. Grace is bowing to the understanding that you cannot see all ends.

When you receive this card, favor is freely offered. Support is bestowed on new love, or any other new beginnings that join hearts to one another, including the gifts of romance, children, and dear friendships.

What forgiveness do you need? What love do you long for? Who needs the healing only you can give? How might your own simple act of compassion be a gift of magical benevolence to someone?

Divinely inspired love, healing, and heart-opening awareness are generously given to you.

We ask in perfect love. We receive in perfect trust.

May the sacred waters of Life bless you and carry you safely home.

• My card of the week remains a labor of love, but if you’d like to make a donation, I would be profoundly grateful. Thanks.